Kingston-Toronto Return Trip, January 2016

We arrived in Toronto a little early on January 22 aboard VIA No 651: 905-4003-4113-4119-4104. Getting permission from the VIA crew to grab a quick photo of the head-end, I made sure to grab a photo of Amtrak's head-end too - on the adjacent track!

At the same time, an eastbound Lakeshore West GO train was inbound, including Metrolinx-scheme bilevels. Oh, old baggage cart, if only you could speak...

Amtrak's Maple Leaf, train No 64 usually departs five minutes before VIA No 651 arrives. Since we arrived early, I had to time to grab a quick head-end photo before the train left on its way to arrival in The Big Apple at 2150. Engine, engine number 9:

VIA HEP2 meet Amtrak I:

A last, lingering look at the signal line-equipped, snow-covered rear door and marker lights showed that the Amtrak crew was aboard and departure was imminent. Gone in 60 seconds!

Since 651's passengers had hurried off the now-reversed escalator to the TTC subway, concourse, Starbucks or wherever, I had to go to the next exit, which was a good, old-fashioned staircase. Some artist's renderings were propped up against the tarnished trainshed supports. Like a translucent plastic takeout container held up by chopsticks:

In the Great Hall, the unfluttering flags were still as gossamer-shrouded glasswork:

Amtrak has departed and slid off the Departures board:

Afraid of heights?

 Street level at Dundas and University: Kit & Ace is technical performance clothing.

Clara Hughes and friends' mental health ALRV:

Not the Flatiron building, but close - the Gooderham building - Church Street at Wellington/Front Streets with the Cathedrals of Capitalism in the background:

I was good. I promised myself I would not photograph any of the 20 GO consists and 4 UP Express trains that entered or left the west end of Union Station between 1600 and 1700. But if a VIA or two entered the scene...VIA 913 is leaving as 915 stays behind:

VIA 913 departs westward as No 83 to London with a 50/50 seating consist: 3472-3464-3371-3304-3367-3305:

Then it was aboard VIA No 48 for return to Kingston: 920-4009-4108-4116-4111. Gotta post this before the next trip, marching ever closer in March! Four-hundredth Trackside Treasure post! Feeling sharp-eyed? Find two "400" 's in this post, email or comment to win a prize! 

Running extra...

Spring is on the way. Some are planning their gardens. Some are wishing the snow would melt. Some are planning the 2016 Front Porch Layout. Me! It involves a 14x28 box, a transfer plate/cassette, my plethoric panoply of two-bay cement hoppers and tons o'fun!

Thanks to brother Dave for scanning some vintage slides taken by my Dad. Transcontinental trip in 1968 began with...can you guess? Head-end photo - I'm the glum no-fun son!

Tonight on Jeopardy...two railway-related clues. Created in 1971, it took over from bankrupt railroads like Penn Central...? Amtrak. This ballistically-named Japanese train...? Bullet train. What is...a one-track mind?